Health advisory issued on Congo virus by NIH

ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued a health advisory to take precautions to prevent the spread of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) as Eid al-Zha approaches.

The health departments across the country, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgil Baltistan, are being directed to make required provisions following the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The NIH further directed to start an awareness campaign among the masses to educate them about the safety precautions during the Eid season.

The alert stated that CCHF, a viral hemorrhagic fever, has a fatality rate ranging from 10% to 40%. Since the first documented incidence in 1976, the illness has been reported irregularly in Pakistan, with Balochistan continuing to be the most afflicted region, owing to cross-border animal movements.

The virus is typically transmitted to humans by contact with infected animal blood or tissues during slaughter. Human-to-human transmission can also occur through contact with contaminated body fluids, such as blood or secretions.

Human-to-human transmission is also possible, particularly in clinical or domestic settings. According to NIH data, 61 cases of CCHF were reported in Pakistan in 2024.

Given the raised risk during Eid al-Zha, when large-scale animal slaughter occurs, the NIH has underlined the need for personal protective measures when handling and slaughtering animals. These include using gloves, wearing protective gear, and properly disposing of animal excrement.